The Return of the Lady

[Librarian Echo]

The universe, the material universe, is a constant place. Stars are born and die. Races rise and fall. They develop religions, technology, space travel, and while some learn to live peacefully, others kill each other. This is the way the universe works. It is a constant as life moves along in the universe. There are those who can see or feel beyond the tangible universe. Those gifted few may wish to share with you what they see or they may not share it.

The one constant is that beings die. They all have their own rituals or beliefs which honor their dead are performed. There are those who worship death in cults or rituals to bring themselves closer to death. The overall feeling about death does differ from culture to culture. There are those who fear it. There are others who believe that death isn’t anything other than another life to be lived. There are more stories, lore, and myths about death as you travel into the universe at large and you could spend a life time collecting these stories.

The only answer is the one you get when you die. That is when you find out if what you’ve been taught as a culture is true or if you will find out it is totally different from what you’ve learned throughout your life.

~*~

The winds that blew across Elysian Fields was gentle and soft. The ones who lived there would gaze toward the castle that stood silent in the background. It had been silent for so very long. The newly dead appeared but the castle lacked the activity once had shown. The purplish-green halo cloud that was once it’s constant companion had been gone for what would seem millennia. They worried for very little and knew peace. The woman who lived in the castle with her husband seemed to be gone. Where they had went wasn’t a concern, trouble didn’t come here.

It was today or maybe the next day, time really didn’t hold any meaning in Elysian Fields, that they noticed the cloud had gathered again. It wasn’t until the colors that usually indicated activity in the castle did they murmur amongst themselves. The mistress of the castle had returned. She had been gone for so long, why return now?

It was a question they didn’t dwell on to long as their lives were undisturbed in the Elysian Fields.

The lights along the path to the castle came to life in a sickly green. It was foreboding and uninviting as a bridge materialized slowly in conjunction with the lights. The lights changed color to match the clouds that hung over the castle. The sound crows cawing could be heard to echo out from the castle battlements and soon lights were on as the castle came to life. The residents of the fields were now paying attention. This could only mean the long rest the mistress of the castle had been taking was over.

~*~

The universe and the fabric of it ripples with a stirring from beyond what could be seen by normal eyes. Those attuned to this type of movement or awakening would notice it. The energies would make those magically people psychically attuned take notice. What they did with this knowledge was their own choice but something had reawakened in the universe.

[Archivist Omega]

Darkness spread across the various rooms of the castle. Deep within the cold, eerily castle, movement could be seen within kicking up the layers of dust. Footfalls from invisible beings litter the floor as they lead to a single room deep within the castle depths as flames lit up behind them. Faint voices could be heard whispering, “The mistress awakens, she and the master will be displeased at the state of things.”

A thin figure emerged slowly from a bed as the sheets fell into a crumpled pile. Her eyes glowed as she scanned the darkness around her. A frown formed on her lips as she stepped away from the bed. The current state of affairs left a sour taste in her mouth. Her rest had been well deserved as her duties had no longer been needed. Now, war spread across every corner of the universe as lost souls needed to be gathered.

A light robe was placed on her shoulders as she sighed. The room flared into life as she looked at the cowering servants. With a wave of her hand, they were dismissed as her rustled voice carried over. “Fetch the children, quickly.”

The figures bowed as they backed out of the room. She crossed her arms over her chest as she exited the chamber. The robe whispered as it trailed behind her. Her footsteps echoed through the silent halls. Figures ran quickly out of her path to the living murals.

She stood in the middle of a long room with tapistries hung from floor to ceiling. Images danced across depicting current affairs of the universe. Fear ran deep within each culture. She normally would not question such a thing however this was different. She mentally commanded the gift from her father to scroll backwards as she caught up. Events played back as images ran backwards. Her eyes widened as she held out her hand, “Stop!”

Her body moved to a mural that held her sister covered in dirt and ash as a dark figure long forgotten loomed over her. She watched the words her sister spoke as it was a valent speech. Her sister was hardly the one to speak such words nor be among the mortals. She had the scene spread through the entire hall. Her eyes grew wide as a powerful being struck down the queens descended from those in her father’s court. She was disappointed that she was not there to collect their souls.

Something else caught her eye as she learned more about the history. A man whose life was entangled with her sister led part of the rebellion. He sparked her curiosity as time wond backwards revealing his story. His story along with this massacre and grab for power meant only one thing: it was the end time to awaken and call the brothers in arms home, starting with her husband.

While she had taken her extended rest, her family explored various aspects of mortals’ lives and allowed souls to pass into her realm. She placed the living murals back to their original state as she exited the room. A servant informed her that her bath was ready as the castle was getting cleaned. She nodded as she headed back to her rooms as she sank into the lavender and rose scented water. She closed her eyes as her power swirled around her causing the water to ripple.

Her voice echoed out across the planes of existence, “Ferryman, your presence is required at my side now!” She waited with her eyes glowing softly.

[Librarian Echo]

The call did not go unheard and considering time and distance didn’t matter to a being such as himself he responded. As he did he brought his little ones as well. Enid the daughter most like him and his favorites. Aeneas his middle child, he loved him but wished he would take his responsibilities seriously. There was his youngest, Nyx, she was the most like his wife. She enjoyed finding the vilest mortals and punishing them while they still lived. She didn’t care if they went mad, killed themselves, or confessed to their evils. She punished them all. He laughed with fondness for all his children as he sent out the call to return home their sabbaticals were over and family business was to be attended to at this moment.

He felt it before he saw it. The feel of strife that called all who would answer it. He dearly wished to answer the call but now was not that time. He had business elsewhere and didn’t even have the proper attire or the time. He would have liked the slight challenge some would have provided and ultimately led to disappointment. He continued on his path and finally arrived.

Aeneas had arrived ahead of his father. It was good because the front hall was a mess. He found that this would not sit well with his dad and that amused him. What happened when his father arrived would be epic and dramatic, his father’s style most certainly. He smiled as he walked slowly to where he felt his mother. He entered the Living Mural room.

“I don’t see why you seem to like this room. We have a whole universe and we study a magical object that divines actions yet past.”

He did respect his parents but some of the things around the castle were old. He liked his home but would have liked to update it a hit.

Nyx appeared and stretched, she had just finished a game. The mortal had found her board game and decided that they should invite friends. She had enjoyed their attempts to beat her at the game but as they learned their souls now resided in her bag. She landed on the floor of her room and smiled. Everything in its place and nothing removed. She concentrated and all her scattered toys appeared on her shelf. The last few she left in the wild as they would find their way to the people who deserved them and what lessons they would impart if the right person found it. She laughed about that as she changed into her plain white shirt, black dress, white knee high socks, and her black and shiny Mary Janes. The click of the little heel could be heard as she ran to her favorite room.

“Mommy! I am here! I did have to finish up a game. The mortals thought they could win. I truly wish they would have understood you can’t win a game of the likes I have made and played.”

She watched the murals and waited for her daddy. He was close and would be home soon, very soon.

The Ferryman appeared in the room. The shadows seemed coalesce to form him. He bowed to Zenrei.

“You have called?”

Aeneas didn’t stand on ceremony and walked forward to hug his mother.

“Mother I have missed you.”

He stepped back quickly as his sister Nyx pushed in between them.

“Move dummy!”

She hugged her mother tightly and spun on her heel and ran to her dad and hugged him.

“We are all here! Even the dummy! Where is the sour face at?”

She was of course referring to Enid. She loved her siblings enough to give them nicknames. The Ferryman spoke up.

“Nyx...manners and respect. You have been taught both and your siblings have earned at least a modicum or your respect.”

He moved his face back to Zenrei his Shepard and love and lowered his hood.

“What has brought us back home?”

[Archivist Omega]

The mistress dressed in a simple black robe covered with white symbols of various beliefs. She chuckled as the servants had worked quickly to eliminate the traces of neglect. She stood in the living mural room once again, studying various events.

Enid was in the middle of her training session, more like what she called training these days. She often challenged the best of warriors in various systems to match her skills. She was about to shove a man's face in the ground when she heard the call home. The tide had changed as she finished what she started in one blow. She would collect her prize later. She did like to give the other fighters a little chance of defeating her.

She popped into the barracks of the castle to notice many of the huntswomen had arrived back as well. Things must be serious with her mother summoning all back home. She chose to live outside of the castle walls as she often found them confining. She felt the presence of her other family members in the living mural room, a place she didn't care about.

She heard her father's question as she echoed his words, "Yes, what do you require after so long?"

Zenrei looked between all of her family members. She hugged each of her children in turn with the exception of the oldest. It was of little surprise that her husband and eldest questioned what they were all doing here.

"It is nice to see you after so long. I have missed mush in my absence. It is time for us to bring balance back to the planes. The murals have shown as much. It is time for the gathering."

She looked straight at her husband. He knew what it meant as the end was near once again. She crossed her arms over her chest as she looked at each of her children. They had each grown well into their role and powers. They would be needed to help drive back what was coming.

"Mortals know not what is coming. Even my sister does not fully seen it with her grief." She paused as she looked straight at her husband, "Why did you not wake me when it was time to collect the souls of the queens. I would have enjoyed it for they have eluded death for so long."

[Librarian Echo]

The Ferryman seemed unimpressed with his eldest child’s attitude toward her mother. He growled lowly at her and then waited a moment more as the sound faded.

“Daughter....mind you’re tone when speaking with your mother.”

He smiled at his wife and nodded to her. She was the only one he came for, his children second, and all others last. There was one other who if they called he may come but she tended to ignore their presence.

“You were resting as was I. The murals always show much. Rest is required and there was no need of us as the Huntswomen are more than qualified to collect the newly dead.”

The coveted mortals. The prize of the gods and goddesses who saw fit to create such contrary, venomous, free-willed, and petty beings. After they decided to gift some of these beings with powers beyond other mortals and to allow certain mortals to expand the lifespans their counterparts. It was truly trivial. Those powerful beings had been tested and failed. They resided in the fields and came and went from the castle as they pleased.

Aeneas looked at his mother at the question of the queens. He shifted for a moment and smiled.

“That’s because father didn’t collect them.”

He pointed to the mural that showed their collection and his mother would notice it was their three offspring working in unison. They felt their passing and went to them. Each of their children guided them to the fields.

Nyx smiled at her mother and curtsied and as she rose she spoke up.

“That is correct mother. We brought them here. They were deserving of a reward and it was meted out according to how you taught us. I even wore a hood and used a boat. As you taught me.”

She looked at her mother for approval. As Aeneas had wanted to let his parents enjoy the rest they had earned he spoke up again.

“Yes they didn’t even plead for a return to their lives. It was very strange as other mortals as to return. They seemed resigned and almost expectant. The biggest part was the disappointment their faces betrayed for an instant when we three appeared.”

Nyx nodded in agreement with her brother. That had surprised her but she hadn’t shown it.

“One even went as far to ask if a child should be doing this. I just laughed and took my three with me. Aeneas took three and Enid three. The ones with me were a blue haired one, black haired one, and a brown haired one.”

Aeneas smiled. He had two blonde queens and the one’s husband while his sister took the female couple and the current ruling queen and husband.

“Yes mother we sorted it out.”

The Ferryman seemed very surprised by this information and looked at Enid for confirmation. He didn’t linger to long as he turned to his wife.

“Your sister is who she is and has spent time with mortals when she is not one herself. She keeps her own counsel. The gathering should remind her who she is and maybe show her what she really needs to focus on. She needs the one she had forsook since the beginning. It matters very little what she wants.”

He was only speaking of matters they had discussed before and she would understand.

“Let’s call them for the gathering, shall we my wife?”

[Archivist Omega]

Enid nodded her head towards her father. She sucked in a deep breath as she bowed to her each of her parents in turn. "Please forgive me, Mother. I meant no disrespect. I was not expecting your summons."

Zenrei nodded to her eldest child. "All is forgiven, child. Remember to whom you speak." It was her warning for next time. She would not be so lenanet for such insolence again. She looked between her children as they told the tale of the queens. She would have to settle that they stayed with in the family.

Enid nodded along with her siblings. She let out a huge sigh as it was one of the few times in which she helped shepherd the dead. She had many lessons though it hardly appealed to her nature. Her arms crossed over her chest as she cracked her neck. For her, there was little to add. She took the rest of the queens which included the blue haired, raven haired, and the dark purple one. There was something somber about the occasion. She neither cared or ask more questions. She dropped the souls off to be judged before she headed off.

She looked between her parents as a question danced on the edge of her tongue. What in the nine hells was this gathering? Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to her mother. She was one of the few who dared to question her.

"What gathering do you mean beyond us? We came the moment that you call. Isn't that enough for you?"

Zenrei looked at her eldest. Her eyes turned a little colder as Enid seemed more defiant than usual. Something told her that this was due to her long absence. Hey eyes gazed over to her husband as she summoned him to her side.

"We shall call them together, husband. There are many inquiring minds that would like to see." She smiled as she waited for him.

[Librarian Echo]

Aeneas was wondering when Aunt Setsuna would figure out that her youngest niece had controlled the priestess who wrote that death scroll. It was his little sister that tended to study the moving murals with a rapt attention he could barely muster. Nyx rarely did what she was told and pursued her fun and games. When Enid spoke up about the gather and they had all assembled he shifted naturally on his feet. They would take it, as his father would state, a sign of his son’s persistent laziness.

Nyx took the opportunity to giggle maliciously at her sisters uninformed question.

“My dearest older sister has neglected studying he laws and customs of Tartarus. All beings of the line of Chronos will gather at least once a millennia. All creatures married to or created by the line of Chronos will also gather especially if they have been given the blessing Chronos and unending time.”

Nyx was always taking jabs her siblings in such a way that would appear informative and helpful.

Aeneas didn’t take the bait and usually countered with his knowledge as a response because he had caught o to Nyx’s game several centuries ago.

“Nyx does his include possessing mortals and writing prophecies about other mortals?

Nyx just smiled at her brother as their father cleared his throat to quiet them.

“Enough! The both of you! This is important as it requires one of you three to take a life. A mortal life has to be extinguished and you will guide the hand that does it. Your mother will have to pick the one who does it. This will done in the presence of her sister. Who can feel your approach. She will know what it means.”

His words were harsh as he directed them at his children.